The world’s greatest spy returns to the silver screen in the 24th movie of the iconic Bond franchise, “Spectre.” Many fans were eager to see how director Sam Mendes would top the record-breaking spectacle that was “Skyfall.”

“Spectre” grabs your attention from its first moments. The opening scene includes an incredibly long take through the streets of Mexico during the Day of the Dead festival and might be one of the greatest opening action shots in Bond history.

From there, we watch as Bond follows a trail of bread crumbs, trying to piece together who—or what—is Spectre. While the plot isn’t as unpredictable as “Skyfall’s” the overall action of the film tops it. Even though you have a general sense of where the film is headed about an hour in, the action keeps the stakes high and you on the edge of your seat. The film’s climax is nerve wracking race against time that leaves you genuinely unsure how it will play out.

Daniel Craig continues his stellar work as 007. At 47 years old, Craig looks tough and solid, and still fully occupies the part of James Bond. Craig continues to give Bond a cold-yet-suave persona. Craig’s performance as Bond has taken all the campiness and cheesiness out of Bond but amped up the class. Simply put, while he may not be the best Bond, Craig is the coolest Bond.

When I heard that Christoph Waltz had been cast to play Bond’s adversary I was beyond thrilled. Waltz is an Academy Award winning actor, capable of being charming yet deadly. I felt he would be a perfect fit as a Bond villain. Waltz did not disappoint; he was mesmerizing in every scene he was in. The only problem is that Waltz is barely in the film, appearing about four times throughout. While I wasn’t disappointed in Waltz’s performance, I was left wanting so much more from Waltz’s character. Watching Craig and Waltz verbally jab back and forth was incredibly entertaining and more of those two on screen together definitely would have been welcome.

Lea Seydoux worked at her role as the latest Bond Girl. She was beautiful and had more personality to her than many of her predecessors.

The problem with her character, however, was the film attempted to make her into “the one” for Bond. While I liked both of the characters well-enough individually, there was no on-screen chemistry between the two of them. I never really understood, from anything shown in the film, why Seydoux was so different as to be the one to make the legendary womanizer James Bond settle down.

The film also continues to explore Bond’s past, and the deeper side of Bond. “Skyfall” was able to explore the themes enough to add an emotional layer to the film not seen before in a Bond film. Unfortunately, “Spectre” is unable to replicate the depth of its predecessor.

This is due in large part to the absence of Judi Dench as “M.” Her mother-like relationship with Bond drove “Skyfall.” There is not any relationship that comes close to matching that intrigue in “Spectre.” Any time we start to address a more emotional tone with Bond in his latest film, we are whisked away to the next location or to the next action scene before any exposition of depth can occur.

While not quite the well-rounded spectacle of its predecessor “Skyfall,” “Spectre” is still an entertaining enough installment in the James Bond franchise. Daniel Craig and Christoph Waltz do not disappoint, and the action is all there. If you’re a 007 fan (which this reviewer is), then you will find yourself well-pleased
with “Spectre.”